Demonstration Piece – Oil Painting

This is a short post just to assure you all that I am still alive and kickin’. I am a member of a local art group which was formed 40 years ago by a group of teenagers (I was one of them). The aim of the group was to give local artists an opportunity to exhibit their work. From the outset, the emphasis was on showing, not selling the work. This year was the 34th annual exhibition. As a working member of the group I’ve been busy with the staging of the exhibition which had over 200 pieces from 55 artists.

As part of my contribution to the Athy Art Group Exhibition event, I usually do a demonstration oil painting. Its a difficult thing to do in front of a group of spectators who are encouraged to ask questions as the work progresses. The most difficult bit is producing a finished ‘acceptable’ painting from a blank canvas, in about 1 hour. Any longer than this will be boring as the spectators includes casual onlookers as well as artists. Its a great way of encouraging non oil painters to ‘give it a try’ and it does work. This also happens to be part of the reason I started this blog.

Unfortunately I don’t have a video. The colours and technique are the same as ‘Tintern Sunset‘, which has a video here. After this week I will be painting again as usual and I hope to see you then.

Oh my goodness, this piece of art was done in an hour?!?!?!!!!! So this is what I can look forward to achieving in 40 years. I just hope God gives me the good eye and steady hand to do it. Moral of the story: if you like to paint, start early (in fact, come to think of it, I started painting when I was 8 but stopped…:( imagine the possibilities) Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your 34th exhibition, quite an accomplishment!

Omg, that wasn’t my intention! I just meant to emphasize the time you’ve dedicated to learning the craft and how it was key to have started early on…I ‘m sorry if I’ve offended you when what I feel is admiration🙂

There was absolutely no offense taken and I’m sorry if you thought I would be offended. Of course I would not. I love to have your comments. And you are right, 40 years is a long time and it passes so quickly you don’t notice (until someone brings it up and I get all upset – sorry, only joking again🙂 )

I’m glad you like it maggie. My paintings very much influenced by the seasons and resultant weather conditions. I am looking forward to doing more ‘summer coloured’ paintings over the next few weeks. I hope you like them as much as this painting.

I paint really slow and often will sit and stare at stuff thinking, so I would be REALLY boring to watch.🙂 I love the idea that you and others put together an event for artists to share their work. I would love to find something like that here in Reno.

I’m sure there are others in your area who are thinking the same as you. The forming of a group of like minded people is the difficult part, but its not impossible. Investigate the possibility of forming contacts with others and who knows what might happen. Once a group is formed, anything is possible. Curiously, the most important members of an art group are the ‘non-artists’.

Petite Pursuits
I’m an Irish girl who has finally given in to an unexplored love/obsession with dolls houses and miniatures. My blog journey to document, share with others, and most of all LEARN, starts here.

The Nest
I live in East Galway, Ireland. I am an artist, homeopath and mother to our four boys and little girl, and wife to Fergal. With our little hairy dog, too many cats, hens, cockerel and two little white ducks, we home educate our children.